This article emphasizes how critical it is to "follow the rules". If the club follows the rules of the WKA and the NKA (our insurer) and exercises due diligence with safety, then the organization should be alright. This ruling is also more of an issue for "concession" type of businesses, where a parent may not have a full grasp on the dangers that are faced. Every parent that races with the GSKA understands that racing can be dangerous. But this may be a time to revisit the idea of improving safety at Barnesville. There are number of places that plastic barriers could be used. The number one task for the Board has always been safety first and racing after that. I said before that Extreme Karting is willing to buy 4 barriers. I think they are about $50 each. The track would probably need about 150 to 200 barriers do a good job._________________Jeff Bacon
770.315.2750
jeffbacon@comcast.netwww.jeffsgarageandspeedshop.comwww.gakartsales.com

This case will have significant commercial impact; the majority of which will undoubtedly be borne by us, the consumers. Liability waivers (especially for minors) provide a powerful layer of risk protection. When the ability to enforce these waivers is stripped away, insurance premiums increase exponentially to reflect the additional amount of risk. Alternatively, insurance companies can decide the risk is too high to issue a policy at all (especially true when minors are involved).

Result: Karting just got more expensive in Florida and/or the number of venues will decrease.

The only governmental entity that can change this now is the Florida Legislature.

I don't understand how this can be.
If boy is coming to a skate park for one hour ($20) driving on his skateboard with his parent and parent's permission, he will need expensive insurance to do so? And then what? State is protecting children or just want to look good?
How about ice rinks, bumper boats, basically anything in an amusement park? This legislation is crazy. Looks like the only safe activity for a child is reading a book at home until he/she is 18.

I don't understand how this can be.
If boy is coming to a skate park for one hour ($20) driving on his skateboard with his parent and parent's permission, he will need expensive insurance to do so? And then what? State is protecting children or just want to look good?
How about ice rinks, bumper boats, basically anything in an amusement park? This legislation is crazy. Looks like the only safe activity for a child is reading a book at home until he/she is 18.

I don't think it will take long for this to be overturned. Think about the theme park industry in Florida. No way they stand still on this one.

The importance of this issue cannot be overstated because it affects so many
youth activities and involves so much monetary exposure. Bands, cheerleading
squads, sports teams, church choirs, and other groups that often charge for their
activities and performances will not know whether they are a commercial activity
because of the fees and ticket sales. How can these groups carry on their activities
that are so needed by youth if the groups face exposure to large damage claims
either by paying defense costs or damages? Insuring against such claims is not a
realistic answer for many activity providers because insurance costs deplete
already very scarce resources. The majority’s decision seems just as likely to force
small-scale activity providers out of business as it is to encourage such providers to
obtain insurance coverage.